Silence would be most prudent, this Henri knew, and he nearly had an apology on his lips - for Sybil’s sake, and to a lesser degree Doctor Clarkson’s, if not for anyone else at the table. But the joke about the guillotine, predictable and bland though it might have been, hit too close to home. Though he spoke with his own usual calm, the weight of Enjolras’ fury and Courfeyrac’s conviction, Feuilly’s honor and Bahorel’s rashness rested behind his words. “With all due respect, a great chasm exists between executions and providing life-saving care to those who fight, so I understand, to protect you. I am very sorry if you cannot see the difference."